cupidity

An eager desire to possess something; an ardent wishing or longing; an inordinate or unlawful desire of wealth or power.

—Rev. John Boag's Imperial Lexicon, c. 1850

The Lusty Month of May

Although May was once considered a month for courtship and romantic interlude, it was considered bad form and a very unlucky time to marry, which may be why the June wedding became so popular. Sir Thomas Malory wrote of this sexual urge in Le Morte d'Arthur (1485): "The month of May was come, when every lusty heart beginneth to blossom, and to bring forth fruit; for like as herbs and tress bring forth fruit and flourish in May, likewise every lusty heart that is in any manner a lover, springeth and flourish in lusty deeds. For it giveth unto all lovers courage, that lusty month of May." Records suggest that January was once the month when the most babies were born in England, prompting speculation that this was due to the increased springtime libido.

Leading naturally to that awful song in Camelot. I'm intrigued by the concept of "unlawful longing," although I have hard time imagining a law against longings, except possibly under the influence of Oliver Cromwell.

Remember that biblically, it's all about the coveting. It's also what the catholic church uses to hammer home the shame and guilt. Even THINKING dirty thoughts is a sin. All the other shenanigans follow from that, as far as they're concerned.

If you wish to refresh your memory, Camelot will be playing in Baltimore, with the one and only Lou Diamond Phillips(!) playing Arthur, King of The Britons. From the commercial, he can sing decently. His IMDB bio can be found here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001617/